ACFSMC- ICA AP Workshop

A workshop on “Capacity Building and Case Studies for Poverty Alleviation through Cooperatives” was organized by All China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives (ACFSMC) in collaboration with ICA – AP from December 10 – 15, 2018 in the Sheraton hotel, Haikou, the capital city of Hainan province of China. As many as 32 participants from 14 countries viz. Belgium, China, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kongo, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Philippines, Russia, South Africa participated in the workshop. Dr. K.N. Sinha, Executive Director, National Cooperative Union of India and Mr. S.S. Yadav, Executive Director, Krishak Bharati Cooperative Ltd. (KRIBHCO) from India participated in the workshop. The workshop was inaugurated by Vice-President of ACFSMC, while Mr. Bruno Roelants, Director General, ICA was the Chief Guest of the inaugural function.

Mr. Bruno Roelants discussed the role of cooperatives in poverty alleviation and efforts made by ICA in this regard. Dr. Sifa, Regional Director, ICA – Africa shared the experience & achievements made by ICA, Africa in the field of poverty alleviation.

Mr. Lawrence Bale, President, SANACO has discussed cases & experiences and the role of SANACO in poverty alleviation.

Dr. K.N. Sinha, Executive Director, International Relations, NCUI and Mr. S.S. Yadav, Executive Director, KRIBHCO has made a detailed presentation in two parts about the poverty alleviation policies and practices in India and the role of agricultural cooperatives in this regard.

Ms. Ma Jihong, Deputy Director General, ACFSMC explained about the role of ACFSMC in poverty alleviation and related policies. Mr. Debkota, Accounts Committee Convenor, NCF discussed about the national policies & practices of Nepal cooperatives in poverty alleviation. Mr. Bayarmagnai Batsuuri, Chair of NAMAC Member Cooperatives has explained about the agricultural cooperatives & poverty alleviation in Mongolia. Mr. Nasai, Director of International Relations, DEKOPIN has explained about the policies & practices made by cooperatives for poverty alleviation in Indonesia. Mr. Mudiyanselage, Manager, NCC has shared his experiences & practices adopted by Sri Lankan cooperatives in poverty alleviation. Dr. Azlan, Vice-President, ANGKASA has shared his experience how Malaysian cooperatives have done a great job for poverty alleviation.

Mr. Ji Zhixiong, Deputy Division Chief, ACFSMC has presented a case study about the poverty relief programmes of Chenguang Town. Ms. Makgotlho, Chief Director, DSBD has shared the policies of South African government and DSBD practices with regard to poverty alleviation. Poverty alleviation projects of Vietnam Cooperative Alliance (VCA) were discussed by Ms. Pham Oanh, General Director, Center for Socio-Economic Programmes, VCA. Ms. Nicolas, MICOOP Operation and Supervision Unit Head of NATCCO explained about the micro finance services & poverty alleviation efforts made in the Philippines. Ms. Tamdang, Regional Manager, VICTO shared experience of Philippines in poverty alleviation. The role of cooperative banks in Nepal for poverty alleviation was presented by Mr. Adhikari Chandra, Accounts Committee Convenor of NCBL, Nepal. The CEO of SANASA, Mr. A.B. Sumith Nishantha explained the role of credit cooperatives in poverty alleviation for Sri Lanka.

The participants visited China (Hainan) International Tropical Products Winter Trade Fair on 13th December 2018 and learned a lot about the various agricultural products available in the fair. A group discussion was held to enhance the capacity of cooperatives in poverty alleviation.

The closing ceremony was chaired by Mr. Balu Iyer, Regional Director, ICA-AP and Mr. Zhang Wangshu, Director, International Cooperative Development, ACFSMC was the guest of honour.

Besides the technical sessions, the participants also visited Fengshan Chicken Breeding Cooperative and a field trip to the Rose Valley comprising of Company, Cooperative, Farmers Mode was organized at Sanya on 14th December 2018.

A meeting of participants from BRICS countries i.e. Russia, India, China and South Africa was also held on 13th December 2018 to discuss the issues & challenges before the cooperatives of these countries. It was informed by SANACO President that Brazil has agreed to hold the next meeting of BRICS cooperatives in next year preferably in the month of July 2019. The proceeding of decisions taken in the last meeting will be forwarded to all the member countries by next week.

Dr. K.N. Sinha Presenting Memento to Mr. Zhang Wangshu, Director, International Cooperation Dept. ACFSMC on the occasion of ACFSMC ICA-AP workshop on capacity building and case studies for poverty alleviation through cooperatives.

Director, International Cooperation Department, ACFSMC welcoming guests and other dignitaries on the occasion ACFSMC ICA-AP workshop on capacity building and case studies for poverty alleviation through cooperatives

Meeting of BRICS Country Representatives during ACFSMC – ICA AP Workshop on capacity building and case studies for poverty alleviation through cooperatives

Group Photo of Participants along with dignitaries during ACFSMC – ICA AP Workshop on capacity building and case studies for poverty alleviation through cooperatives, 10-15 December 2018, Hainan, China